Headspace
Getting something out of daily meditation can sound impossible to restless minds, even more so for those who are glued to their smartphones. Headspace is an app that aims to let your smartphone take the lead in helping you clear your mind. A free version of this app takes you on a 10-day, 10-minutes-per-session meditation journey to teach you how to be more mindful of your body and offers the basics on how to start meditation. Andy Puddicombe, who runs a larger meditation business called Headspace, talks you through your relaxation with a tone that’s delightfully understanding of how difficult it can be to calm your mind in the modern age. Of course, if you want more Headspace content, you can subscribe for as little as $8 per month to gain access to the full curriculum, which includes focused tracks.
There are other meditation apps out there that will teach you the basics. Headspace stands out because of its approach of quick meditation for people who are probably not that calm. And it’s clear that a lot of planning has gone into the design of the app — even in its shortened form. Can you achieve enlightenment in 100 minutes? Of course not. But if you’re looking for an excuse to treat yourself to some quiet time, Headspace’s program might give you one.
Thumb Drift
Racing games are a ton of fun but often difficult to pull off on a mobile device. Many rely on the tilt sensors in your phone to help you control your vehicle as it races around corners, which can be a lot of fun. But it can also make you look a little goofy in line at your local coffee shop.
Thumb Drift solves that problem by bringing a racing game you can play with one finger (or thumb) and consists entirely of the most exciting part of any racing game: drifting.
It’s fun and relatively easy to play. You can unlock new vehicles and tracks simply by playing, but there are in-app purchases. This app can feel a little ad heavy, especially if you’re crashing so often that your playtime seems short. But it’s not as bad as other apps, in that you can close an ad in relatively short order once you’ve watched part of it. Free, for iOS devices.
— Hayley Tsukayama,
The Washington Post
